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State Mentoring Matching Grants

Originally created in FY99, the Mentoring Matching Grant funding is the only state investment solely dedicated to expanding quality mentoring across Massachusetts. The primary goal of this funding is to increase the number of high-quality mentoring matches through grants to public and private agencies as a strategy to assist in closing the persistent achievement gap among Massachusetts youth. Aligning with the State’s primary goal, programs can use funding to create or support existing matches with the required academic outcome of increased positive attitudes toward school. Although there have been significant cutbacks over the years in this line item, mentoring continues to have a voice in the state budget process owed to the tremendous advocacy and mobilization efforts of the mentoring field across the state.

Two Year Grant Cycle

Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is releasing the Request for Proposals for the FY2019 and FY2020 State Mentoring Matching Grant (2 Year Cycle, Line Item 7061-9634). Funding is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Mass Mentoring Partnership is awarding the Mentoring Matching Grants as a two year grant cycle for FY2019 and FY2020. The intention and the expectation is that programs will be able to develop two year programmatic plans that support growth and sustainability. Through this two year grant cycle, MMP is investing in more intentional planning and evaluation of the impact on student success.

Please note this grant cycle is contingent on the appropriation of funds in the FY19 State Budget for the first year and on the appropriation of funds for the FY20 State Budget for the second year. In FY2017, 32 awards were granted and ranged from $5,000 to $25,000. Grant requests of up to $30,000 to qualified organizations for one program year will be considered; however the number and size of the grants awarded will depend upon the amount of the appropriation from the Legislature.

Application Process

MMP invites formal mentoring programs to apply for a grant through the FY2019 & FY2020 Mentoring Matching Grant. Any formal mentoring program serving youth between the ages of 6-18, with the intended outcome of improved attitudes towards school, is eligible to apply for this funding. Mentoring programs must be at least Affiliate level members of MMP’s Program Network. Membership is free and programs can begin the processhere.

The Legislative intent of the appropriation is to increase the private sector’s support for mentoring programs as well as the number of mentor/mentee matches. Therefore, every grant dollar must be minimally matched by the grantee, dollar for dollar, with private sector cash and/or in-kind resources. No government funding can be used as part of an organization’s matching funds. All programs receiving grants will be required to report the source and amount of the resources utilized to match grant funds.

Mentoring Matching Grant funds are intended to help grow or improve programming by creating new matches or supporting existing matches and may include program development, volunteer recruitment, orientation, and in-service training and match support, and evaluation.

The FY2019- FY2020 Mentoring Matching Grant Application MUST be completed and submitted online. Applicants should read through the RFP before beginning the online application process, as it provides detailed information on program eligibility, application deadlines, and other pertinent grant application details.

All applications are due by no later than 5 p.m. ET on Monday, June 16, 2018.

*Programs selected will be notified no later than July 1, 2016. The period covered by these grants is from August 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 and August 1, 2017-June 30, 2018. State Mentoring Matching Grantees are required to attend meetings and trainings over the two year period as well as comply with reporting requirements. Information about program requirements is available in the RFP and Application.